“Community engagement is about putting a face to the name and humanizing those whom we seek to house. It’s being on the ground to build a relationship between the developer and community members,” Assistant Development Manager Cynthia Mejia said. “Community engagement helps to ensure that our future properties reflect the needs of the area, fit into the context of the neighborhood and are responsive to the community’s culture.”
Before community members see a National CORE logo or beautiful new homes take shape, they see development staff – like Cynthia – who introduce proposed developments to a community. Striving to build a foundation of trust with residents and neighborhood stakeholders, Cynthia’s warm, convivial spirit has been the starting point for many of National CORE’s recent developments.
She has supported early public approval efforts for such properties as Las Dahlias, Mountain View, Santa Angelina, Legacy Square and Orchard View Gardens, answering questions from the public, introducing the organization and its mission and helping incorporate community feedback into the early development program and design.
Cynthia has more than 10 years of experience in public relations and managing outward-facing programs. With a bachelor’s degree in public policy from UC Riverside, she elevates the connection between stable housing and improved health outcomes – because where someone calls home matters.
For four years, Cynthia has worked under the leadership of Alexa Washburn, National CORE senior vice president of planning and acquisitions, and Sandra Espadas, a National CORE community development manager.
“Cynthia approaches each opportunity with enthusiasm and manages her projects with grace. Team members, partners and clients appreciate her positive, even-keel, problem-solving attitude and perseverance,” Alexa said.
Sandra said working with Cynthia’s forward-thinking perspective is inspirational and a great addition to the small but mighty team.
Cynthia’s hard work and that of the development team is paying off – Las Dahlias in East Los Angeles will be completed early next year. Santa Angelina in Placentia and Mountain View in Lake Forest will complete construction in the next few months. Orchard View Gardens will finish construction in mid-2024.